Octane
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 25
From: Malaysia
Octane
Hey guys,This probably a question that has been asked before and to some it's probably a no brainer but what the heck...here goes..
Here in Malaysia we have a choice between the RON95 and RON97 fuel.While I had always been using the 97,of late it's getting a little pricey.My question is,is there an obvious difference between the two?I can't really tell from the seat of my pants although in my mind it says the 97 gives better performance.I do know a little basics like how the higher octane fuel detonates better and cleaner and so on but really,doesn't make a big difference?
Here in Malaysia we have a choice between the RON95 and RON97 fuel.While I had always been using the 97,of late it's getting a little pricey.My question is,is there an obvious difference between the two?I can't really tell from the seat of my pants although in my mind it says the 97 gives better performance.I do know a little basics like how the higher octane fuel detonates better and cleaner and so on but really,doesn't make a big difference?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
The only reason to use higher octane fuel is detonation. Modern Harleys are very prone to detonation (knock/ping) and the highest octane ya can find is a good idea. Harmful detonation happens before ya can hear it. When ya hear it it is too late. Damage has occurred.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Treasure Coast, FL
+1 on this, especially in your climate where it's hot all the time ....
+1 though we've probably all had cars that have pinged & knocked and they didn't die if you didn't let it go on and on. So, not sure I'd be an alarmist about it.
My experience when I inadvertantly added lower octane fuel was I noticed it right away. Within a mile of my fill up when it was under a slight load going up a rise in the highway I heard the ping, and my mind flashed to grabbing the same fuel nozzle I use to fill my car. I refilled that damn take every 25-30 miles.
My experience when I inadvertantly added lower octane fuel was I noticed it right away. Within a mile of my fill up when it was under a slight load going up a rise in the highway I heard the ping, and my mind flashed to grabbing the same fuel nozzle I use to fill my car. I refilled that damn take every 25-30 miles.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 172
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From: West Point, VA
My operator & service manuals (2011 FLHTK) say to use:
If you take the manual at face value, 95 RON should be okay. But as others have said, factor in the higher temps, any performance mods, etc., and maybe that points to sticking with the 97 RON...
Octane Ratings
91 [(R+M)/2] - or - 95 RON
95 Research Octane Number (RON) ~ 90-91 "American" Octane rating (average of RON & MON octane measurements). 91 [(R+M)/2] - or - 95 RON
If you take the manual at face value, 95 RON should be okay. But as others have said, factor in the higher temps, any performance mods, etc., and maybe that points to sticking with the 97 RON...
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 25
From: Malaysia
a buddy we had over for Christmas
Thanks guys,I've been told that it's quite the norm there to be on RON91 but then again you guys are in a cooler climate.I guess RON95 is good enough fuel for my use here although thus far I've only been using RON97 but I plan to ride a lot soon and sure is gonna bite into my pocket if I go 97 all the way.Currently it's RM1.90 per liter for RON95 and a whopping RM2.70 per liter for the RON97.That's a lot of difference..Maybe I could alternate between the two
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 25
From: Malaysia
First off..that's a sweet looking bike you got there buddy.
Malaysia is an oil producing country but we sell our sweet crude and use the crap and yeah fuel is expensive here
Malaysia is an oil producing country but we sell our sweet crude and use the crap and yeah fuel is expensive here
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,570
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From: almost there
At the gas pump... If it has one hose for all the diffrent octanes you can be getting a gallon or two of regular when pumping hi test. It has to clear the regular from the line before it gets to the hi test. Screwed again...